The ecological restoration of soil-water infiltration rate by phytoremediation treatment of crude oil polluted tropical Niger delta soil

Several contributions on the ecological interaction between hydrocarbon and soil habitat-water relationship in different parts of Niger Delta have been revealed. Based on demonstrated remediation potential of plants species, this study was aimed evaluating the suitability of three species (Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Heyne, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) De wit. and Crotolaria retusa Linn.) of the Fabaceae family for the restoration of infiltration rate of crude oil impacted Niger Delta soil habitat. Standard field and laboratory methods of data collection and analyses were adopted. Result showed varying increase in water repellency with increased time across pollution levels. It has also evaluated the trajectories of water movement in the phytoapplication restoration based on species biological performance and infiltration time rate of the species treated sandy loam soil. Peltophorum pterocarpum among the species recorded greater performance due to its restoration potential of the infiltration dynamics of the post-polluted soil. This was attributed to its ability in the improvement of the soil porosity, texture, structure, particle density (PD), and reduces bulk density (BD), organic matter (OM), highest hydrocarbon removal efficiency (low THC content), enhanced accumulation quotient and root formation. It can thus be proposed as part of a bioremediation integradation in environmental restoration programme.